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EQ Exercises Help Lawyers Optimize Their Leadership and Business Development Potential

By Sheryl Odentz
October 01, 2022

The role of emotional intelligence, also known as EQ, Emotional Quotient, is critical to the success of lawyers who are leaders in their firms. But what, exactly, is EQ? EQ can be defined as skills people use to manage their own emotions wisely, to maximize their chances of influencing others constructively, and achieve their goals. Having high emotional intelligence helps professionals build stronger relationships, reduce stress, defuse conflict, and improve job satisfaction.

EQ, or "soft skills," are essential for lawyers in private practice. Hitendra Wadhwa, Professor of Practice at Columbia Business School and founder of the Mentora Institute, which provides leadership training for executives at top corporations, said: "As a professional, the mastery of our discipline gets us only so far. We can be the greatest accountant, consultant or lawyer in the world, in terms of our financial, business or legal acumen, but if we do not know how to get along with people, how to turn around moments of conflict, how to collaborate with colleagues and partners, how to influence people and organizations, and how to get people to trust us, we will be nowhere close to our full potential."

Law firms have more leaders than corporations of comparable size, revenue, and number of employees. Firms typically have a chair, a chief operating officer and/or chief financial officer, a management or executive committee, practice group heads, and leaders of numerous committees and practice, industry, and client groups. Most firms have tiers of equity and non-equity partners who cede decision-making responsibilities to these individuals. Developing EQ skills is extremely important for lawyers who aspire to become leaders and rainmakers.

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